Israeli Minister: Abbas Igniting Religious War on Temple Mount

By Aryeh Savir/TPS, Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS

Israeli Minister of Internal Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, blamed Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas for Tuesday’s attack on an Israel police station at the Temple Mount, saying he was on the way to igniting a religious war.

“Abu Mazen (Abbas) continues to lie and incite violence, together with the Mourabitoun and Hamas terror organizations, in their attempt to ignite a fire and cause a religious war on the Temple Mount,” Erdan charged.

The Mourabitoun and Mourabitat are groups of Muslim men and women, paid to harass Jewish visitors at the Temple Mount and generate violent incidents. Israel outlawed the organization in September 2015.

“We will not allow this and we will continue to act to restore peace to the mountain,” Erdan stated, warning that “any act of violence or attempt to harm Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount will meet the determination and strong response of the Israel Police.”

“I reiterate: No additional mosque will be built on the Temple Mount and we will do everything necessary to maintain the status quo,” he concluded.

Erdan was responding to Tuesday’s incident in which Arab terrorists threw a firebomb at an Israeli police post near the Lions Gate on the Temple Mount, setting it on fire.

The police identified three of the terrorists and arrested them.

Tensions on the Temple Mount have been high after the Waqf ‘s recent illegal takeover of the Sha’ar Ha’rachamim (Golden Gate) area.

The Golden Gate area, known by the Muslims as the Bab al-Rahma, remains open despite Israeli attempts to close it and in violation of a court order.

The Muslims, as well as the Hamas terror organization, have threatened an outbreak of violence if Israel attempts to re-shut the area.

The Temple Mount opened as usual on Wednesday.

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